War clouds are gathering in intensity over the Tatas’ Dhamra deepwater port in Orissa -- a joint venture between Tata Steel and L&T. Construction is proceeding despite concerns voiced by environmental groups which have been fighting to save the day for the olive ridley sea turtles that come for nesting at a site very close by. Even though the Tatas claim to have obtained a clearance following the environment impact analysis, this has been contested as a mere eyewash with hardly any analysis of impact on ecology and turtles. Earlier, following much opposition, the trawling in the area had been banned as detrimental to the arrival and nesting of the turtles. The Dhamra port comes within five kilometres of the Bhitarkanika sanctuary and 15 km from Gahirmatha beaches, one of the largest mass nesting sites of olive ridleys anywhere in the world. A Supreme Court committee had in 2004 recommended that the port be relocated.

The company, standing by the environmental cause, has been speaking of mitigation plans to make sure the turtles are not affected by port activity. But the fact that there has been no mass nesting at Gahirmatha this season is cited as proof of the disturbance. Artificial lights have been known to disorient the hatchlings and deflect them from taking the route to sea. The construction activity will cause changes by affecting sedimentation which in turn could affect vegetation. Pollution spills could contaminate the mangroves nearby which provide the turtles with nutrition.

First proposed in 1990, the port has become a symbol of prestige with the state government. Once completed, the port will be one of the largest in south Asia with deep channels to accommodate huge vessels. The state government in 1997 excluded the area from the Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha sanctuaries, clearing the way. All this goes to show how the EIAs are mere formalities in this country. The turtle is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as also under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), being a migratory species. India being a signatory is obliged to protect it. Mere assurances that the port will ensure the sanctity of the nesting sites will not do, not when carcasses of turtles have been found strewn over the beaches. An alternative site for a port is much easier to pursue than to persuade thousands of turtles to change a habit acquired over generations.